England Premier League
Sunday 26th December 2021
Kick off at 5:30pm GMT
Venue: Villa Park
Match Preview:
Most improved team of the past month? How about Aston Villa who look completely different under new manager Steven Gerrard who for now has taken to the job like a fish to water. This Premier League lark isn’t too bad for the former Liverpool great who was questioned if the jump from Scottish football managing Rangers would be too great- not a chance. Well not a chance for now.
Villa have lost two games under Gerrard but nobody is going to give him stick for losing against Manchester City and Liverpool and both ended up being close games. A 2-1 loss at home to City and a 1-0 defeat away to Liverpool. But in between those games has also been solid and impressive wins and Villa come into this game in 10th place, and with 22 points could be challenging for a European position soon. Villa beat Norwich in their last game and at home it’s two wins from their last three with their last victory here coming against Leicester.
Chelsea are one of the favourites to win the league title this season however the Blues have been dropping points and perhaps for the first time since Thomas Tuchel took over there are some questions being asked.
Recent form has seen Chelsea slip from 1st place to 3rd with just 1 win in their past four games and they have drawn their last two in a row. Not many would have believed that Chelsea could only come away with a 1-1 draw at home to a depleted Everton side and the Blues took the lead in that game. This was followed up by a drab 0-0 encounter away to Wolves. Perhaps that was a point gained as some key Chelsea players have come down with Covid-19.
It’s only one defeat on the road so far for Chelsea who have the joint 2nd best away record in the league. But they haven’t tasted victory away from home since beating Watford at the beginning of the month.
Team News:
Aston Villa: Leon Bailey is still out with a thigh injury. Keinan Davis has missed the last 2 games for unknown reasons so is a presumed doubt for this tie, it is the same situation for Anwar El Ghazi. Marvelous Nakamba has a knee injury and he won’t return until March at the earliest. Bertrand Traore is being pencilled in to return for this game and Ashley Young remains at 50/50 to return after his knock.
Chelsea: Trevoh Chabolah will be assessed after his recent knock, Andreas Christensen is being tipped to return from a knock also. Jorginho should return from a slight back injury. Callum Hudson-Odoi, Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku are all touch and go as they have Covid-19 but it would have been 10 days so they will be retested and see.
Aston Villa vs Chelsea Head to Head:
Last season Aston Villa won this game 2-1.
Chelsea have been able to win 8 from the last 10 games against Aston Villa.
Five from the last six meetings has seen both teams to score.
Aston Villa vs Chelsea Prediction:
Thomas Tuchel can’t play poker, when his side isn’t picking up maximum points he can’t keep that poker face and his anguish has been quite a feature of the past few weeks in the Premier League.
Chelsea have the better team but at the same time they are struggling with Covid-19 and the new strain, but football is pushing ahead. Villa could well know the right buttons to push and especially being at home we have to believe that they will create many chances.
There is no love lost over Gerrard and Chelsea and he would love to get one over the old rival. It may not be the popular opinion but if Villa can click they can give Chelsea a really tough game and are great value to win this, enabling us to use a very safe handicap.
Aston Villa vs Chelsea Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (+1.0 Aston Villa) at 1.65
Both teams to score at 1.91
Anytime goalscorer: Danny Ings at 3.30
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